How long do lesser goldfinches live?
The oldest Lesser Goldfinch on record lived to 5.7 years, a record from a wild bird. That is a ceiling, not an average: most wild lesser goldfinches live only a few years.
- Longest recorded lifespan
- 5.7 years
- Record from
- Wild bird
- Eggs per clutch
- 3–6 eggs
- Broods per year
- 2 per season
- Size
- 3.5–4.3 in, 0.3–0.4 oz
- Rank in family (of species on this site)
- 11 of 12
Record age versus typical age
Longevity records come from birds that were marked and later found again, usually through bird banding, or from birds kept in zoos. They show what a Lesser Goldfinch can survive to, not what most do.
For small birds, the first year is the hardest. Many eggs and nestlings are lost to predators and weather, and young birds that leave the nest still have to learn to find food and avoid hawks and cats. A bird that survives its first winter has a much better chance of living several more years. That is why average lifespans in the wild are short even when the record is long.
How lesser goldfinches compare with relatives
Oldest recorded ages for other finches on this site.
- Red Crossbill16.1 years
- Purple Finch14 years
- American Goldfinch13 years
- Common Redpoll12.2 years
- House Finch11.6 years
- Pine Siskin11 years
More about lesser goldfinches
Frequently asked
How long do lesser goldfinches live?
The longest-lived Lesser Goldfinch on record reached 5.7 years, recorded from a wild bird. Most wild lesser goldfinches live far shorter lives, because the majority of young birds don't survive their first year.
What is the oldest Lesser Goldfinch ever recorded?
5.7 years, according to the AnAge longevity database.
How many young can a Lesser Goldfinch raise in a year?
Pairs lay 3–6 eggs and raise 2 per season.
Source: AnAge, The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources), record quality "acceptable", sample size "medium". genomics.senescence.info